Katherine of Aragon: The True Queen

How sad it was not to know how happy you were until it was too late.

If only the Fates had granted him a longer stay in this

If a ruler suffers subjects to be ill-educated, and then punishes them for crimes they commit in their ignorance, what else can we conclude but that he first makes thieves and then punishes them!

This was the culmination of all her hopes. God had seen fit to answer her prayers, and she was filled to the brim with thankfulness. She was to be Queen of England, raised by this magnificent young man to be the bride of his heart and the mother of his heirs. Those who had scorned he and tried to humiliate her would now have to defer to her - she tried not to relish the prospect, but she was only human. The days of want were gone for good; very shortly she wold be the wife of the richest king ever to reign in England.

I believe what I choose. I am not as simple as I seem. Now go!

Neither the whole kingdom,nor any great punishment,even though I be torn limb from limb,can make me alter my opinion,’ she insisted,her voice becoming impassioned. ‘And if,after death,I should return to life,I would prefer to die all over again rather than change my opinion.

It is against my soul,my conscience and my honour. I am your wife,and I have done you no wrong. No judge will be found unjust enough to condemn me! Force me into a nunnery if you will,but you cannot make me say the vows that will free you from our marriage.

She could not blame him,for it was natural that he was concerned about the succession,and every man wanted a boy to carry his line,be he king or yeoman. But Katherine,the daughter of Isabella of Castile, did sometimes wonder why it was seen as essential for a man to rule. Her mother had been a great queen and pray god that Mary would take after her; and thus she herself could see no good reason why Mary should not rule. Yet now was not the time to say that to Henry. That conversation would have to wait on an opportune moment.

Katherine was shocked. The King's word brought home to her how little he cared about Juana or her mental state. He was only interested in her beauty,her fecundity and the kingdom she would bring him. Katherine supposed that was how most men thought of marriage

God did not say, You will not be troubled, you will not be belabored, you will not be afflicted; but He said, You will not be overcome.

She saw Henry look hungrily into Anne’s face as they met in the dance. And in that moment she knew.

She loved the intimacy of making music together in private.

Could it be true? This glorious, fresh-faced young man, this Adonis - for Nature surely could not have done more for him - still wanted to marry her!

In my view, sire, anyone who actively campaigns for public office disqualifies himself for holding any office at all!

face that journey again in the winter.” Arthur did not answer, and when she turned to look at him, she saw that